Cyphomyrmex

Cyphomyrmex

is a heterogenous genus of small, cryptic attine ants. It is among the most commonly encountered of the fungus-growing ants in warmer regions throughout the Americas. Unusually among attines, some Cyphomyrmex cultivate their fungus as a yeast.

Cyphomyrmex sp.

Some species of Cyphomyrmex fungus-growing ants are unusual in cultivating their fungus in yeast form. Rather than spongy white mycelia, the gardens of these ants are full of bite-sized white yeast globules.
Mindo, Ecuador